LANTHANUM TRIFLUORIDE (LaF3, Purity: 99.9%, APS: 80-100nm)

LANTHANUM TRIFLUORIDE Nanoparticles

Introduction

Lanthanum trifluoride nanoparticles (LaF₃) is an inorganic compound composed of lanthanum (La³⁺) and fluoride (F⁻) ions. In its bulk form, lanthanum trifluoride is a white crystalline solid with low solubility in water and a high melting point (around 1,460°C). However, when lanthanum trifluoride is reduced to the nanoscale, the material exhibits significantly altered properties, including increased surface area, enhanced reactivity, and unique optical and electronic characteristics. These changes make LaF₃ nanoparticles (LaF₃ NPs) highly attractive for a range of applications, especially in fields like photonics, biomedicine, catalysis, and environmental science.

Applications

Biomedical Applications:

Medical Imaging: Lanthanum trifluoride nanoparticles are being explored for use as contrast agents in medical imaging techniques such as X-ray and computed tomography (CT). Due to their high atomic number (due to lanthanum), LaF₃ nanoparticles have a higher X-ray absorption capacity, improving the resolution and contrast of medical images. Additionally, when doped with luminescent ions like europium or terbium, LaF₃ nanoparticles can be used for fluorescence imaging, allowing for non-invasive, high-resolution visualization of tissues and organs.

Drug Delivery Systems: The high surface area and biocompatibility of LaF₃ nanoparticles make them an excellent candidate for drug delivery applications. These nanoparticles can be used to encapsulate therapeutic agents, enabling controlled release and targeted delivery to specific cells or tissues. By functionalizing the nanoparticles with targeting ligands, it is possible to direct them to cancer cells or other disease sites, improving the efficacy of treatments and minimizing side effects.

Photothermal Therapy (PTT): Lanthanum trifluoride nanoparticles, when doped with specific elements, can absorb near-infrared (NIR) light and convert it into heat. This property makes them useful in photothermal therapy (PTT), a technique used for cancer treatment. The localized heating generated by LaF₃ nanoparticles can selectively destroy cancer cells while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues.